Hawaii’s two medical marijuana dispensaries off to fast start

Hawaii’s two operational medical marijuana dispensaries have done brisk business since sales began in August, and the industry’s momentum will likely build in the wake of recent developments.

Maui Grown Therapies and Oahu’s Aloha Green combined for more than $426,000 in sales since opening on consecutive days last month, according to Pacific Business News, citing the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Between them, the two dispensaries sold 57 pounds of flower through Sept. 19, according to the reports.

Health department officials told a legislative oversight committee the average price per gram was $16.45, while patients bought an average of 3.3 grams and spent $54.33 per visit. Combined, the dispensaries sold 8,890 products and had 7,845 customer visits, the publications reported.

The dispensaries could soon do even more business given that they will have an even greater variety of medical marijuana products to sell.

Hawaii’s MMJ program was initially limited to smokable flower, but the health department this week said it will permit the state’s only cannabis testing lab, Steep Hill Hawaii, to test marijuana-infused concentrates and tinctures, according to the publications.

The medical cannabis program should get another boost in October, when Hawaii’s third dispensary – Noa Botanicals on Oahu – plans to open and likely will offer a wider selection from the get-go.